Griffith Park

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT GRIFFITH PARK

Robert Blechl GRIFFITH PARK -- Melissa Sherrills said she was better equipped for the next Southern California shaker after attending the Emergency Preparedness Fair. "I'm going to have an escape plan so I can meet with my parents and keep it somewhere so I can see it and memorize it," said Melissa, a third-grader at West Athens Elementary School in Los Angeles. The ninth annual Emergency Preparedness Fair, which began Friday in the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot, features more than 200 private and public agencies teaching people how to remain safe after a major earthquake.

Seniors wing it, thanks to airlines BURBANK -- Six members of the Joslyn Adult Center are winners of Southwest Airlines' annual "Home for the Holidays" event. Roger Riel, 82 of Burbank will travel to Austin, Texas early next year to visit his family, who he has not seen for eight years. "I've got grandkids and great-grandkids. There's a new one every year," Riel said. Even though he was not there when his name was picked, Riel said he was happy to learn he was one of the winners Other winners are Robert and Marilyn Azzara of Los Angeles, who will travel to Long Island, N.Y. in March; Aileen Braun of Valley Village and her granddaughter Jennifer Marquez, who are Baltimore-bound; and Peter Weber, who is leaving his Glendale home and jetting to Houston.

Jeff Tully GRIFFITH PARK -- It's no revelation that the rest of the cross-country teams in the Foothill League will be trying to catch powerful Canyon High this season. Canyon proved its strength Tuesday at Griffith Park by finishing first in both the boys' and girls' races in the opening league meet. The Cowboys team proved why they are ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division I and 16th in the nation by putting five runners in the top six spots.

Local to produce radio programs GRIFFITH PARK -- Burbank resident Lori Tubert has been named the producer/artistic director of radio programs at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Tubert has been writing and directing radio shows for Wells Fargo Radio Theater at the museum for the past three years. She has also produced and directed the 2002 and 2003 Burbank City Spelling Bee and a tribute to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which ran on Channel 6. The museum is at 4700 Western Heritage Way in Griffith Park.

Burbank resident Gordon Lee Sherwood died peacefully Jan. 31 at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles with friends at his side. He was 100. A longtime advertising executive, he was well known for his involvement in live steam railways. As his 100th birthday last year, Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge declared March 22 “Gordon Sherwood Day” for his work in forming the Los Angeles Live Steamers in Griffith Park. Gordon was born March 22, 1911, on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles to Lee and Addie Sherwood.

Meghan Fuelling, soph., La Cañada Took second at the Rio Hondo League finals in 19:36 at CV Park to help the Spartans’ league title effort. Finished the year with a 19:08 at Mt. SAC in the CIF prelims. Ran well at the Staub Invitational at CV Park, as well, taking third in Division II race in 19:41.33 to lead the Spartans’ second-place effort. Monique Martinez, senior, Burroughs Was the Indians top runner throughout the year.

GRIFFITH PARK — It had been more than a year since Burbank and Burroughs highs were able to run on their home cross-country course at Griffith Park. Because of a fire in 2007 that damaged a portion of the park, the locals had to move their home meets to different venues last season, which included a Pacific League event. It was a homecoming of sorts Thursday for the Indians and Bulldogs, as they battled Bellarmine-Jefferson, Providence and Village Christian in the 18th Burbank All-City Cross-Country Meet.

A (pea)nutty exhibit at the L.A. Zoo GRIFFITH PARK -- A 53-foot custom-designed truck with a 32-foot peanut replica is at the Los Angeles Zoo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday. It is part of the National Peanut Board's "National Peanut Tour," an interactive traveling exhibit. The exhibit, traveling around the country to 25 different events in 23 cities, features historical information about peanuts, fun facts and trivia, take-home recipes, as well as nutrition information.

Laura Sturza Native Americans are among the playwrights and performers having their say in a program created by Burbank residents Jean Bruce Scott and Randy Reinholz. Started in 1993 in Illinois, Native Voices at the Autry moved to its Griffith Park home in 2000, presenting free readings of new plays by Native Americans and other indigenous people. Shirley Cheechoo's "Moose River Crossing" is being read today. Scott and Reinholz entice actors to participate in the readings -- since film work is more lucrative -- by inviting casting directors to events.

GRIFFITH PARK -- Athletes taking part in the 30th annual Bellarmine Cross-Country Invitational Saturday at Griffith Park got their share of excitement, running against tough competition and talented teams. The young runners also received an unexpected surprise when one of the most recognizable faces in U.S. track and field history -- Bruce Jenner -- showed up to take in the meet and to watch his step-son compete. Jenner, a three-time world-record holder in the decathlon and the 1976 Olympic gold medalist, talked to some of the runners about the importance of athletics and the benefits of competition.